Image: Modfos / Dreamstime / File image of a small plane flying over the Chilliwack airport

By Fraser Valley Today Staff / Canadian Press

small plane

Investigation into fatal plane crash in Chilliwack to begin

Oct 7, 2023 | 6:04 AM

CHILLIWACK — Investigators from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board are expected to arrive in Chilliwack over the weekend to begin an examination of a fatal small airplane crash Friday (Oct. 6) that claimed the lives of three people.

RCMP said they were alerted to the crash around 2 p.m. Friday. “Police, fire and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) responded. Sadly, three people on board are confirmed to be deceased,” the Mounties’ statement said.

The plane went down just behind the Chilliwack Motor Inn on Young Road, about a block and a half south of the Chilliwack Airport.

In an email to Fraser Valley Today, BCEHS said five ambulances and a paramedic supervisor responded to the scene. Two air ambulance helicopters were launched but were called back before reaching the scene.

Sgt. Krista Vrolyk with Chilliwack RCMP said first responders ended up using a mattress as they dealt with thick blackberry bushes while accessing the plane.

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The Piper PA34 is believed to be owned by SkyQuest Aviation, a flight school based in Langley. SkyQuest Aviation said in an email statement to the Canadian Press that it was looking into the crash, but had no comment at this time.

The names or hometowns of the three victims in the plane have not been released.

The BC Coroners Service is also involved in the investigation.